Conor Benn urges Chris Eubank Jr to retire in strong statement with potential rematch on the rocks
WATCH NOW: Conor Benn opens up after losing boxing fight to Chris Eubank Jr
The 28-year old claimed he 'is not waiting' for a Eubank Jr rematch
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Conor Benn has expressed his frustration after the planned rematch with Chris Eubank Jr collapsed, warning he will not wait around for the rescheduled bout.
The September 20 fight fell apart after Saudi backers reportedly withdrew from negotiations.
"I'm not waiting. I'm not waiting around. I feel like my career has sort of been on hold to give the fans this fight," Benn told Sky Sports News.
The welterweight insisted he was ready to honour the two-fight deal at middleweight but would now pursue other options.
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|Chris Eubank Jr beat Conor Benn on points in their first bout earlier in the year
Benn made clear his disappointment at the situation, having been prepared to fight as early as July or August.
The rematch had been announced in late June, with promoter Eddie Hearn suggesting Wembley Stadium as a potential venue.
However, the bout is now in serious doubt following the withdrawal of Saudi kingpin Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season from negotiations.
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Sky Sports
|Conor Benn urged Chris Eubank Jr to retire so he can focus on becoming world champion
"This rematch falling apart had nothing to do with me. I was ready to go on the scheduled September 20 date. I'm not sure what happened to Chris Eubank," Benn told Ring Magazine.
Hearn supported his fighter's position, telling IFL TV that if Eubank was not prepared to take the fight on September 20, there would be no fight at all.
Benn urged Eubank Jr to consider retirement from boxing. "Take it, take it. Just take the win. Take the win. Your dad didn't want the rematch of my dad," he said.
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"Sail off into the sunset. You're done, and you move on, and I move on and secure my legacy of winning the world title."
The fighter expressed his frustration at being denied redemption after losing the first bout by unanimous decision in April.
"It really does feel like redemption has been taken away," Benn said.
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|Conor Benn insisted that Chris Eubank Jr's father did not want him to take the rematch
He questioned Eubank's professionalism, asking: "How can you not be ready to go within in a five-month period?"
Benn confirmed he would now return to 147lbs to pursue a world title or face other opponents.
"It's either [moving back down to] 147lbs for me or the rematch," he told Sky Sports News.
The fighter called out WBC lightweight world champion Shakur Stevenson, saying: "I respect him as a fighter, I think he's a great fighter, I believe he'd be biting off more than he can chew up to 147lbs."
Benn welcomed challenges from several fighters including Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Rolly Romero and WBC champion Mario Barrios.
"I believe I'd stop most of them there," he said of potential bouts at welterweight.